TATA Steel condemns Greenpeace agitation, offers talks

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) Tata Steel has condemned Wednesday’s demonstration by Greenpeace activists outside its Mumbai headquarters Bombay House, and said the environmental group was trying “to gain publicity for itself” instead of sorting out the issue through discussions.In a statement here Wednesday evening, the company said it was aware of certain concerns being voiced about the future of the giant Olive Ridley turtles in the Bay of Bengal if the Dhamra port was develped off Orissa coast.

The company offered to hold talks with Greenpace if the voluntary organisation was keen on discussions and clarifications.

It pointed out that since 1994, various studies have been conducted on the nesting habits of the Olive Ridley turtles along the Orissa coast, including the Gahirmatha area.

Based on these studies, it is established that the Dhamra port limits are clearly outside the turtles’ nesting area and also the National Marine Sanctuary and Bhitarkanika National Park. This has also been confirmed by the National Environmental Appellate Authority, which visited the site, Tata Steel said.

Dhamra Port Co Ltd (DPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between Larsen and Toubro and Tata Steel that is developing the port, is working in partnership with the World Conservation Union to explore all possible ways to avoid any harm that the port development may cause to wildlife in the area.

Tata Steel pointed out that it has already conducted discussions with Greenpeace on Dhamra port and the issue of Olive Ridley turtles.

All issues pertaining to this have already been clarified, the company said. However, if the Greenpeace desired, Tata Steel expressed its willingness to hold further discussions on the issue.